A lot of people enjoy basketball because it is fun. However, being the top player in the game is not the easiest path. Although natural athletes may have an edge, basketball can be happily played by anyone. Read this information here to learn more about basketball.
Make layups a part of your daily practice regimen. Up to eighty percent of the baskets attempted in a game are layups. Dribble the ball in front of you while taking large strides followed by a smooth shot. Practicing your running and jumping as a single motion will improve your technique faster than practicing them separately.
Keep your eye on the ball. This will give you court awareness and keep you from being surprised by quick passes or turnover potentials. Also, you need to stay aware of areas which might open up and give you an easy basket.
As you exercise to improve your game, it is important to work on your footwork and strength. Your body is going to be more balanced and be able to move faster when you have strong core muscles. Work out your hips, back and abdomen. Your speed and footwork can be improved by jumping rope.
Concentrate on your shoulders if you have gotten into a shooting slump. Shoulders are the key to a consistently successful shot. Make sure your shoulders are always square towards the hoop. Your shooting arm’s shoulder also needs to be exactly lined up with the rim.
You need to be quick to be good at basketball. You’ll have an advantage if you’re faster than an opponent. You need to really drill to get to the point where you can play fast. Make sure you never play past the speed you are comfortable. Doing so can cause the game to spin out of control as turnovers and faulty passes are made.
Passing the ball through your legs is a useful maneuver if the opposing team is right on top of you. Try practicing this by bouncing your ball hard in between your legs while stepping forward or backward. This is a tricky move, but it will provide you a good advantage when you play.
Practice dribbling with your weaker hand. Being ambidextrous on the court makes it more difficult for defenders to figure out what you will do next. You can actually force yourself to utilize your weak hand by tying your other hand behind you. Your dribbling skills will improve with your weaker hand.
A good drill to try is the five dribble drill. You try to get the ball the entire length of the court in only five dribbles. While this is a challenging goal, working toward it will make you a much better player. This helps give your team the advantage, and allows you to drive the center.
Take charge when the opportunity presents itself. By taking a charge, your team will get the ball. This can hurt the other team’s players psychologically and can also be powerful when you’re creating plays.
A powerful play called the trapping machine, is to have your guards wait for the point guard to come just past midcourt. After he crosses the midcourt line, they should run and trap him. Simultaneously, forwards should block sprint toward wing players. The point guard will then probably throw an easily interceptable pass.
If you want to boost your weaker hand skills, use it whenever you can, be it opening jars or just brushing your teeth. Try becoming ambidextrous outside of the court, and you will soon find that you do not have a weaker hand when playing basketball. Your basketball skills will benefit.
You should always bend your knees while dribbling. You will have a hard time controlling the ball if you always stand straight and opponents will be able to steal the ball. Some minor bending of the knees makes a big difference in your ability to control the ball.
Keep the ball below knee level if possible. Your opponents will find it tougher to steal the ball from you. You will have to bend a little to make this happen, but it will keep you moving down the court quickly, especially since you are thwarting everyone trying to get to you.
Dribble in a rhythmic way until you desire to catch the opposing player off guard. Dribble consistently, then break it up by dribbling fast. This will keep your opponent off balance so you can get in a good shot. When they are focused on stealing the ball, your change in rhythm can really throw them off.
Practice various shots from various places on the court. Start by practicing grip and balance. It is possible to make a shot when your balance is off, but it is a lot less likely. The basketball’s air valve can be used to aid in perfecting your grip. Cover the basketball valve with your palm and spread your fingers. This will center your hand on the ball.
Keep calm while shooting the ball. Keep your eyes on the rim and don’t lose focus. You should work to keep your eyes on the point furthest away from you on the hoop when you’re shooting. When shooting layups, be sure you are using the backboard.
When guarding a player who exceeds you in size, attempt to stay in between that player and the one with the ball. This way, they won’t be open, so the ball cannot be passed to them. If they were to get he ball, they’d be able to make a shot over you.
Passing should be an essential element in your game. Passing helps confuse the opponent. It also shows you value teamwork and this will be appreciated by your teammates. You’ll always be able to show off your abilities. You will be able to show off your individual talents but you must also learn to be a team player.
Do you feel ready to show others your game? Utilizing the tips in this article can make you a better overall player. Get energized, motivated, and excited and then get out on the court! It won’t be long before you notice your game improving, all thanks to this article.